Page 43 of Kept 3
I frown as I stir the clams and chicken and think back to my previous conversations with Nicholas. I’m sure he was being honest when he said he had no more ‘special vampire powers’ so how I wonder, does Gerald? Maybe a vampire really was looking in my windows all those nights when I used the bathtub?
I concentrate back on what Margarita is saying and grimace as she begins, once more, saying how wonderful her vampire is. But at the same time, I can’t help wonder if he has ‘commanded’ her to say these things because, to me, they sound totally out of character.
“Did he tell you he kills baby bears?” I snort, as I hear her repeat how caring and generous he is.
“Huh?”
“In the armoury, here in Ereston, there are hundreds of stuffed animals. I asked Nicholas about them, and he said they were all Gerald’s. During every trip they took, he went hunting and had his ‘trophies’ taxidermied. Nicholas allows him to display them here.”
“Well hunting was something they just did in those days,” she says, looking at me, as though I’m an idiot.
“Yeah,” I shrug, “butbabybears?”
“Maybe they attacked?” I know that she knows this is ridiculous, “maybe he wanted their porridge,” she giggles, and I can’t help but laugh too.
“Anyhow I don’t see why he would have them here. His castle is massive,” she adds.
“Castle?”
“Well, yeah, it is not far from here, only an hour or so by car – ten minutes by helicopter. It's where we have been living for the past few months.”
“I thought you were on a ship? Nicholas said Gerald hasn’t been answering his calls because he has no reception aboard.”
“We were,” she says, shrugging, “but then he said he wanted to come closer to Ereston, so,” she shrugs, “we moved.”
“When exactly?” I frown.
“I don’t know, probably start of Autumn, I guess. I needed a whole new wardrobe, because, you know, I’d only bought summer wear before that.”
I turn to her, my blood suddenly freezing. This was around the same time I came to Ereston, from Sicily. A strange coincidence, if that is what it is.
“Margarita,” I turn and put down the wooden spoon, put my hands on her shoulders, urging her to look into my eyes. “Be serious. If you could get away from this vampire. If you could come with me, start afresh, would you?”
She frowns. I can almost see her brain whirring around inside her head as she tries to concentrate, but just then a harsh bark rings out across the kitchen, scaring the hell out of both of us.
“Margarita!”
We spin to see Gerald, his face thunderous, standing in the doorway.
“Jerry?” she smiles nervously.
“Leave us.”
Nodding, she takes off her apron, folds it neatly, places it on the bench and, not looking at me, brushes past him and out the door.
I paste on a brittle smile and stare at him as he enters the room, closing the door quietly behind him and locking it, before spinning back to me, his smile deadly.
“Can I help you, Gerald?” I know my voice is a little unsteady, but I’m trying to control my fear.
“I understand you don’t wish to be here,” he drawls, walking slowly towards where I stand in front of the oven.
“What gave you that idea?”
“Don’t play games with me, cook,” he spits the last word, “Nicholas tells me you do not wish to be Kept. It would be healthier for you if you leave sooner rather than later. There are some who find your influence upon his emotions, unwelcome.”
“You?”
He says nothing, just stares at me, and I take a deep breath before turning back to stir the chicken and clams. He is standing so close to me. I can feel his breath on my neck.
